Belgreen upsets Haleyville in thriller
The Belgreen Bulldogs roared past the Class 4A Haleyville Lions in a nail-biting contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
The Bulldogs’ clutch plays in the fourth quarter sealed the hard-fought victory.
The game began at a blistering pace with both teams trading baskets. By the end of the first quarter, the score was knotted at 15-15, setting the stage for a highscoring affair. Belgreen found its rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring the Lions and taking a narrow 34-32 lead into halftime. Jake Dill was a key contributor in the second frame, pouring in 10 of his 12 total points, including a pair of crucial three-pointers. Rush Berryman also connected on two three-pointers in the first half, providing a spark for the Bulldogs’ offense.
The back-and-forth battle continued into the third quarter with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. As the buzzer sounded to end the third, the score was once again tied at 42-42.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Bulldogs. Jonathan Mendoza and Braycen Johnson stepped up in a big way, combining for 15 of Belgreen’s 19 fourthquarter points. Mendoza was clutch down the stretch, scoring six points and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Johnson added nine points in the final frame, contributing significantly to the Bulldogs’ surge.
Belgreen outscored Haleyville 19-11 in the fourth.
Belgreen’s balanced scoring attack proved to be the difference. In addition to Dill’s 12 and Mendoza’s 12, Rush Berryman and Braycen Johnson each chipped in with 10 points. Aaron Rubido added 9, and Hunter Woodruff contributed 8.
Girls: Belgreen 53, Haleyville 42
Bryn Scott scored 19 points to lead the Belgreen girls past Haleyville, 53-42.
Haleyville led 11-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs exploded in the second and third quarters, outscoring the Lions 38-19 to take a 47-30 lead into the final period of play.
Dacota Green followed Scott with 10 points. Makenna Fisher added 7 points, Isabella Tate 4 points, and Mackinley Hogan 2 points. Randi Terry, Lilliana Willingham and Carson Hovater scored 3 points each.
